Children’s Behavioral Health Workforce

Supporting and building the HCBS workforce is a cornerstone of Rhode Island’s Covid-19 pandemic recovery strategy.  The support that direct care workers and licensed health professionals provide to Medicaid enrollees who have physical or behavioral support needs helps to promote individual wellness and self-determination, allowing enrollees the choice to remain in their homes and communities and avoid unnecessary acute care or facility-based care.  The pandemic has exacerbated challenges in meeting consumer demand for HCBS services due to workforce shortages.

Rhode Island EOHHS will invest approximately $7M in recruitment and retention for children’s behavioral health programs through the following mechanisms:

1. HBTS, PASS, KidsConnect, and Respite Providers:  Significant temporary fee for service rate increases for qualifying services from January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022 to improve HCBS workforce recruitment and retention.  Providers must expend funds between January 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023.